Humanitarian Response Network

In times of emergency it is critical that the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and others humanitarian aid agencies are in th position to quickly and efficiently transport emergency supplies to those areas where they are needed. The Humanitarian Response Network (HRN) project aims to create a global network of efficient and strategically located warehousing facilities for WFP and other UN aid agencies.

This network gives the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies, Government agencies and NGOs, the logistics support to pre-position their relief items. It means that items are ready to be dispatched, quickly and efficiently, into areas stricken by disasters. -Giuseppe Saba, WFP

Using its experience as a global logistics carrier, TNT together with WFP have created a model and map to identify strategic areas where capacity is still lacking. Based on this map, the HRN project team is now closely involved with WFP in implementing best practices to increase the efficiency of the WFP warehousing system.

Areas of focus include the introduction of warehouse IT systems, optimising available space and storage capacities by redesigning current warehouse layouts, introducing fleet maintenance plans and implementing an inventory control tool to ensure resources are available when needed.

TNT Ghana was the first depot to be made available to stock WFP supplies in case of emergency. It has become a central hub for emergency distribution for West Africa.

The long-term objective of the HRN is to aid not only WFP, but to make available and build on the knowledge developed to assist all UN aid agencies in optimising their emergency response capabilities through more effective warehousing systems and networks around the world.